Coast Guard Reauthorization

On November 15, 2011, the House approved H.R. 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011, a bill introduced in the House by Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo and Full Committee Chairman John L. Mica.  The bill provides the necessary authorities and resources for the Coast Guard to carry out its broad responsibilities and vital missions. 

The Coast Guard enforces the nation’s laws in U.S. waters and on the high seas, and protects the lives and property of those at sea. The Service’s missions include maritime search and rescue, illegal drug and migrant interdiction, oil spill prevention and response in the marine environment, marine safety, maintenance of navigation aids, enforcement of U.S. fisheries and other marine environmental laws, and maritime defense readiness.

H.R. 2838 includes important programmatic reforms to ensure the Service can better utilize its resources and more efficiently replace its aging assets, as well as other improvements to ensure parity between the Coast Guard the other Armed Services in terms of authorities and benefits for servicemembers and dependents.

The legislation includes important provisions that require vessel owners to install treatment technology certified to meet new ballast water treatment standards, setting a single nationwide performance standard that is technologically achievable and verifiable. A national standard will prevent a costly regulatory jumble of varying and inconsistent state standards that are currently a detriment to the free flow of maritime commerce and job growth in the maritime sector.

Finally, H.R. 2838 legislation also includes provisions to better protect the crew and passengers of U.S. flagged vessels from pirate attack. In 2011, there were over 420 pirate attacks worldwide; 450 hostages were taken, and 15 were killed including four Americans.

On June 7, 2012, continuing the work it began when the House passed H.R. 2838, the Committee passed H.R. 5887, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Authorization Act of 2012.  This bill authorizes the funding for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2013, 2014 and 2015 at levels that reject the draconian cuts to the Service’s acquisitions program proposed by the Obama Administration.  Like H.R. 2838, the bill includes new provisions to ensure parity between the Coast Guard and the other Services and includes needed regulatory relief for small businesses that will protect jobs and encourage growth in the maritime sector.

On September 22, 2012, the Senate took up H.R. 2838 and approved it with an amendment.  The Transportation Committee is working to ensure that a final, responsible Coast Guard Reauthorization will be passed by both Houses of Congress and sent to the President.

Press Releases:

• June 7, 2012: Committee Votes to Curb EPA Power Grab; Also Approves Coast Guard Authorization
• November 15, 2011: Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill Passes House
• November 3, 2011: Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill to Be Considered Tomorrow
• October 13, 2011: Committee Approves Civilian Property Realignment Act, Ballast Water Treatment Legislation & Other Bills
• October 4, 2011: LoBiondo Holds Hearing to Review Challenges of Coast Guard Acquisition Program
• September 8, 2011: Committee Approves Slate of Transportation & Infrastructure Measures
• July 26, 2011: LoBiondo Holds Hearing to Examine Ways to Improve Coast Guard Operations
• July 13, 2011: Joint Subcommittee Hearing Examines Ways to Improve Ballast Water Discharge Regulations and Ensure Cost Effective Standards
• April 13, 2011: LoBiondo: The Coast Guard's Acquisition Programs are Over Budget and Behind Schedule
• March 15, 2011: LoBiondo: Piracy Cannot Be Tolerated by U.S. or International Community